City life was gettin' us down
So we spent the weekend out of town
Pitched our tent on a patch of ground
Down by the river

Lit a fire and drank some wine
You put your jeans on top of mine
I said "Come in, the water's fine"
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
Said "Come in, the water's fine"
Down by the river

Didn't feel too good all night
So we took a walk in the morning light
Came across the strangest sight
Down by the river

A silver fish lay on its side
It was washed up by the еarly tide
Wonder how it died
Down by thе river

Down by the river
Down by the river
A silver fish lay on its side
Down by the river
The doctor put us both to bed
And dozed us up and he shook his head
"Only foolish people go," he said
"Down by the river"

"Why do willows weep?" said he
"Because they're dying gradually
From waste from the factory
Down by the river"

Down by the river
Down by the river
"Why do willows weep?" said he
Down by the river

In time the river banks will die
The reeds will wilt and the ducks won't fly
There'll be a tear in the otter's eye
Down by the river

Banks will soon be black and dead
Where the otter raised its head
Will be a clean white skull instead
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead
Down by the river
Down by the river (down by the river)
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead

Down by the river
Down by the river
A silver fish lay on its side
Down by the river

Down by the river (down by the river)
Down by the river
I wonder how it died
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
Banks will soon be black and dead
Down by the river